To help ensure its scholarship recipients are ready for college, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation has partnered with academic tutors across the country to help those who could benefit from this assistance.

This tutoring network is available to middle school and high school students; and to those currently attending college or a vocational or technical school with financial assistance from the foundation.

As of January 31, 2015, there were 688 sons and daughters of fallen Special Operations Forces personnel in high school, elementary school and preschool – and the SOWF has promised to educate every single one of them.

* * *

There are currently 134 children in college on SOWF scholarships.

About 80% of SOWF students enter college, compared to 60% of American students in general. And of those students, 85% graduate with a degree, compared to the national average of 59%.

While these numbers are impressive, the tutoring program will help those SOWF scholars facing academic challenges so that they, too, can obtain a post-secondary education and pursue their career and life goals.

For more information about the program, contact SOWF Family Services at scholarships@specialops.org; or April Steen, SOWF Family Services Counselor, at 813-805-9400.

With a father who served in U.S. Special Operations, Josh Bick of Sonora, CA, knew about the dangers our nation’s elite warriors face, and the sacrifices they make in the line of duty.

So when it came time for him to plan his senior class project, the Summerville High School student, who is also a competitive rifle shooter, decided to combine the pasttime he loves with his desire to give back to the community his dad belonged to.

Early in 2014, one of Josh’s friends organized a rifle shoot to benefit the M1 For Vets Project, an adaptive marksmanship program, as his senior project. M1 provides combat injured veterans – some struggling with severe post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – with the opportunity to compete in local, regional and national competitions and training.

“About 15 people showed up to shoot, including myself,” Josh recalled. That match inspired him to put together a similar event for his own senior project, also to benefit a charity serving the military.

“I wanted the proceeds to benefit families who were less fortunate than my own,” he said.

“My father was lucky enough to return home without any physical injuries and mild PTSD, and I wanted to help others who didn’t get back the same parents they had before.”

* * *

Last year, Josh ordered gear from 5.11 Tactical Pants, a company that provides apparel for law enforcement officers, military personnel, EMS/Fire professionals and others. His package came with a limited-edition cherry flavor shot of 5-Hour Energy, which was doing a promotion for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation at the time.

“We had never heard of you guys before,” said Jen Bick, Josh’s stepmom.

“That was when he chose the foundation to benefit from his project.”

* * *

Josh set a date - Jan. 31 – and found a location - the Mother Lode Gun Club in nearby Jamestown. Then he began creating posters to display around town and spent the next two months visiting dozens of businesses, asking for food and raffle donations.

At Summerville High, a rural school in north-central California with fewer than 700 pupils, Josh was allowed to put up posters for the event, “in the hopes that some of the students would come with their parents to shoot.”

His friends and family helped decorate the site and took on barbecuing duties, so Josh could focus on the shooters and the safety of everyone involved.

About 24 people participated – half of them new to competitive shooting. Awards were given to the top shooter, top veteran shooter, senior shooter, high collegiate shooter, high woman shooter, and high junior shooter.

“It was a great senior project, and I am pleased that I could help such a noble cause,” Josh said.

But he’s not done quite yet: Josh will give a project presentation to his class in May, right before the Summerville High School class of 2015 graduates.

]]>Tue, 3 Mar 2015 19:29:58 GMTTufts University Men’s Hockey Players Take to Their Home Ice In Support of the SOWFhttp://www.specialops.org/news/news.asp?id=216197
http://www.specialops.org/news/news.asp?id=216197

On Friday, Feb. 13, the Jumbos of Tufts University in Medford, MA, will host the Continentals of Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, in a hockey match up that will raise funds for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

The Tufts players (above) will be wearing special camouflage jerseys. Two of the jerseys will be raffled off, and special pucks and hats decorated with the American flag will be offered for sale at the rink.

Donations for the SOWF will also be accepted at the door.

“None of the players saw the jersey until we took a photo of the team in them on Tuesday,” said Scott Barchard, one of the Jumbos’ three assistant coaches.

“They were beyond excited, because this is something we have never done before.”

Barchard said a former Tufts hockey player who went on to serve in the Army’s Special Forces will be dropping the puck at the start of the game, and that members of the university’s ROTC program have been invited.

The Destin Ultra Runs was conceived in 2010 by Zane Holscher, a Air Force pilot who knew people who had been helped by the SOWF - as a one-day, 50-mile and 50 kilometer run. It was first held in February of 2011 along the pristine beaches of Florida's Panhandle.

Since then, it has grown into a full weekend of activities, including:

100-plus mile race (new in 2015)

24-hour run

50 mile

50 kilometer

Team relay

Deployed military (50 mile, 50k shadow runner, 50 mile relay)

5k Son of a Beach

Son of a Beach athletic challenge (held April 18)

Pasta dinner

Post-race concert

"It will be exciting to see how much our runners raise this year," says Zane, whose original race team comprised himself, members of his family and a few volunteers.

His efforts were supported from the start by businesses in Destin and nearby communities, and embraced by the residents.

"This race has introduced a lot of people in the local area to the SOWF," he says, "and a lot of our out-of-town guests have gone on to do SOWF fundraising back home."

It is not too late to support this signature event - which includes the world's longest beach run - that draws competitors from around the country and so far, has raised over $134,000.

]]>Fri, 6 Feb 2015 19:10:42 GMTLeidos and Washington Wizards Team Up to Support SOWFhttp://www.specialops.org/news/news.asp?id=214678
http://www.specialops.org/news/news.asp?id=214678Leidos and Washington Wizards team up to support

Special Operations Warrior Foundation

Jan. 22, 2015 — Leidos, a national security, health and engineering solutions company, sponsored the Washington Wizards ‘Defending the Rim’ program, donating $100 for every blocked shot during the entire season to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) in honor of those serving our nation.

"We are committed to support our military veterans, troops and their families through several organizations including the USO and Special Operations Warrior Foundation. At Leidos, we place great value on the contributions and sacrifices of our veterans and the men and women in uniform who serve our country,” said Leidos CEO Roger Krone.

"The Special Operations Warrior Foundation and USO are doing incredible work for our intelligence and military communities. The Washington Wizards take tremendous pride in our programs honoring those who have served and who are making sacrifices every day to defend our nation,” said Ted Leonsis, founder/chairman and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) and owner of the Washington Wizards.

MSE Foundation supports the charitable efforts of the Washington Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics. Military Appreciation Night is an event that will benefit several programs and services of the SOWF.

"We are grateful for the recognition of our services to support the military. It is because of this kind of support, SOWF is able provide college scholarships for surviving children, financial grants to severely-wounded Special Operations Forces service members and counseling services among other programs,” said Major, U.S. Air Force (Ret) Steven L. McLeary, executive director of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

Leidos is a FORTUNE 500® science and technology solutions leader working to address some of the world’s toughest challenges in national security, health and engineering. The Company’s 20,000 employees support vital missions for our government and the commercial sector, develop innovative solutions to drive better outcomes, and defend our Nation’s digital and physical infrastructure from ‘new world’ threats. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $5.77 billion for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, after giving effect to the spin-off of the company's technical services and information technology business. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

A nonprofit organization established by SAP, NS2, the U.S. national security-focused subsidiary of SAP, sponsored a reception on Capitol Hill Nov. 18, to center around the theme of “Improving the Well-Being, Employment Status and Opportunities Available to Post-9/11 Veterans and Their Families.”

Reporter Clayton Over with the Centre Daily Timeswrote the following article about a first-time fundraising event to benefit the SOWF, organized by the owners of The PYP Studio in State College, PA.

November 23, 2014 - It looked like an ordinary Sunday morning cycling class at The PYP Studio on South Atherton Street. Around 20 people pedaled — and sweated — on stationary bikes as dance music played and instructors yelled encouragement.

But this weekend, it was different: they were working out for warriors, pedaling with a purpose. It was part of an event, dubbed The PYP Studio Patriotic Pedal-Thon, to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a nonprofit that helps put the children of fallen special forces personnel through college.

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation President and CEO, retired vice admiral and Navy SEAL Joe Maguire, and SOWF board member and Army veteran Tom Arthur, visited Tulsa, OK, recently to spread awareness of the foundation in the Nation's Heartland.

During their visit, Vice Admiral Maguire was interviewed by Tulsa Worldreporter Tim Stanley.

* * *

Just last week, Joe Maguire sat down to write another letter to a young widow.

This time, the late husband — a Marine special operations member who was killed in Afghanistan in September — had been just a few months shy of becoming a father.

“Their first child is due in December,” he said.

Maguire, a retired vice admiral and Navy SEAL who now heads the nonprofit Special Operations Warrior Foundation, said that hardly a week goes by that, somewhere in the world, another American special forces member isn’t killed or seriously wounded.

“We can never repay these families,” Maguire said, “but it’s an absolute privilege to be able to do something. For this young widow, I assured her that, boy or girl, in 18 years that money will be there for her child (to go to college).

“We at the Special Operations Warrior Foundation have your back.”

Maguire, from Tampa, Florida, and foundation board member Tom Arthur were in Tulsa on Wednesday to speak to the Rotary Club of Tulsa about the foundation’s mission — to provide scholarships and other services to the families of slain or wounded military special operations troops.

A group of U.S. veterans and family members picked up their paintbrushes Tuesday afternoon in a colorful celebration of the men and women who served.

Army veteran Greg Revels and Marine Corps veteran Jacob Dodd sat in front of their "amber waves of grain” American flag paintings, swapping war stories at Painting with a Twist's Veterans Day painting class.

Dodd painted a black and gold army star on Revels' arm, and Revels painted Dodd's black Marine Corps emblem tattoo as part of a tattoo challenge halfway through the event.

"I was in Germany when the Cold War ended,” Revels told Dodd.

"Oh, really?” Dodd responded, his interest peaking.

Revels was in the Army for 2 ½ years, ending his service in air defense in 1992. Dodd served from 2005 to 2009 as an ordnance technician working with bombs and artillery. It was the first time either attended a painting class aimed at supporting veterans.

It was a first for Gainesville's Painting with a Twist, too, which was one of 100 participating studios nationwide that donated a portion of its proceeds to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

Fifty percent of the proceeds from the store's event, which charged a $35 fee to its nine attendees, was donated to the organization.

Dodd was accompanied by his wife, brother-in-law and mother. He said it was refreshing to see an event aimed solely at veterans.

"There isn't a whole lot of actual functions that go up for them,” Dodd, 29, said. "Most of them are just selling apparel and gear or something like that.”

The event featured a guided painting class of an American flag, food and wine, trivia and a tattoo competition.

"If you're talking about a veteran function with alcohol and food, you can get veterans to come,” Dodd said, laughing. "That's a fact.”

Sharon Quackenbush also attended the event with parents Richard and Ginny in support of the studio's donation to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

"I think it's a fabulous way to incorporate a lot of different talents and interests because this is a modern activity,” Quackenbush said. "It's kind of neat to see the combination of modern tied with veteran experiences.”

Chance Cummings, Dodd's brother-in-law, said participating in veteran events is a small price to pay for their service.

"They put it on the line for us, (people) need to start doing something for them,” he said.

As the paintings received their last touches, Quackenbush added a small farm to her grain field, Cummings initialed his with a "CC” and Dodd added a Marine Corps emblem.

Most painters got up to admire their work, while Dodd stayed behind. Red capital letters were just visible inside the red stripe of his flag: "SGT DODD.”

Artist Jane Chapin has been supporting the Special Operations Warrior Foundation through the sales of her 'Land of the Free' book. Now she is honoring veterans all across the United States with her "Land of the Free" exhibit, which is now on view at Discover Portsmouth in New Hampshire.

The show "is a special privilege for us to exhibit," said Maryellen Burke, executive director of Discover Portsmouth, speaking on Veterans Day. "It's a great way to connect art to issues that matter - honoring veterans."

The exhibit features 50 state paintings that Chapin created in a three-year journey across America. It also includes new works Chapin has made from the studies and photos she took on her journey.

Each painting represents a state, from "Rhode Island Boys" to "Kansas Sunrise," to a picturesque apple tree that could be anywhere.

The sale of the paintings from the exhibit is raising funds and awareness for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and Pease Greeters. The Warrior Foundation began in 1980 after a daring attempt to rescue 53 American hostages in Iran, which ended in tragedy when a helicopter and C-130 aircraft collided. Eight died and 17 children were left behind. The foundation provides full financial assistance for a post-secondary degree from an accredited two or four-year college, university, technical or trade school, as well as educational and family counseling to the surviving children of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty. Italso provides immediate financial assistance to severely wounded and hospitalized special operations personnel.

The Pease Greeters is a group of local patriotic Americans who welcome men and women of Armed Forces who pass through Pease International Airport either on their way to or their way home from Afghanistan, Iraq, and other conflict sites. The greeters have met more than 600 flights and welcomed more than 170,000 troops since 2005, providing food, drinks, and other goodies along with the use of free telephones so troops can call loved ones anywhere in the world.

According to Burke, 100 percent of the proceeds of the additional paintings sold will go to the Pease Greeters and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

"We are the first venue in the country to exhibit the 50 paintings in their entirety," Burke said. "The Sheraton Harborside, Secure Planning, and Longterm Care Partners underwrote our costs and made the exhibit possible."

Karin Scott, visitor services manager at Discover Portsmouth, said there is also a book that goes along with the exhibit called "Land of the Free: A painter's Chronicle of Our 50 States and our Heroes." The book features the 50 state paintings from the exhibit and a veteran hero from each state.

Copies of the book are being sold at $25 and all proceeds go to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

"Each state has a beautiful picture, a background of how that came to be, what's going on in the picture, and it's also dedicated to a service member who served from that state," Scott said.

Board member Tom McCarron first discovered the exhibit when Chapin was showing in a gallery in Salem, Mass., Burke said. He saw the show of her other work and was intrigued with her project and book.

"We met with Jane and decided right away to have it here. We scrambled to get support from our generous sponsors and made it happen," Burke said.

The Portsmouth Historical Society, which operates Discover Portsmouth, has made its own contribution by making up buttons with Chapin's logo accompanied by an American Flag, available for a $5 suggested donation. All of the proceeds for the buttons will go to the Pease Greeters.

"Land of the Free" will be up for viewing until Dec. 22 and is free to the public. So far the exhibit has sold two paintings and several books, Scott said.

Added Burke,"We need folks to come in and buy a painting. When else can you go home with a great piece of art and know your payment all goes to great causes?"

]]>Thu, 13 Nov 2014 13:58:30 GMTAmerican Honda Foundation Marks 30th Anniverary with Support to SOWFhttp://www.specialops.org/news/news.asp?id=202509
http://www.specialops.org/news/news.asp?id=202509American Honda Foundation Marks 30th Anniversary with Major Support of Education Programs for Military Personnel, Veterans and their Families

TORRANCE, C.A. - The American Honda Foundation is marking its 30th anniversary in conjunction with Veterans Day with a series of new, special donations to organizations that provide educational scholarships and support to active military personnel, veterans and their families.

The American Honda Foundation is focused primarily on contributing to organizations involved in youth and scientific education, with a specific emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

Three organizations that will receive support from these special donations from the American Honda Foundation include:

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) provides needs-based college scholarship grants, financial aid and educational counseling to the children of Special Operations personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The American Honda Foundation has provided the SOWF with $30,000 for scholarships that support STEM education and aspiring teachers. An additional $10,000 will support SOWF program services, which includes immediate financial assistance to severely-wounded and hospitalized special operations personnel and their families.

Folds of Honor provides annual educational scholarships to the families of U.S. service members who have been killed or disabled while in active duty. The American Honda Foundation has provided Folds of Honor with $30,000 for scholarships that support STEM education and aspiring teachers.

ThanksUSA provides needs-based educational scholarships to the children and spouses of active-duty and reserve U.S. military personnel. The American Honda Foundation has provided ThanksUSA with $30,000 for scholarships that support STEM education and aspiring teachers.

"In researching unmet needs, the American Honda Foundation quickly zeroed-in on military personnel and their families, who have sacrificed for all of us and now need our support,” said Alexandra Warnier, executive director of the American Honda Foundation. "The Foundation is proud to support these organizations, which provide the families of our men and women of the U.S. military with the gift of education, creating a legacy for the whole community.”

About the American Honda Foundation

Celebrating 30 years of providing strategic grants to nonprofit organizations in the United States, the American Honda Foundation is dedicated to helping prepare America’s children for tomorrow’s challenges. As such, the Foundation focuses its efforts in the areas of youth and scientific education, with a specific focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects and the environment. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $33 million to organizations serving approximately 115 million people in every state in the U.S. For more information please visit http://www.foundation.honda.com.

About Honda

Honda established operations in America in 1959 and now employs more than 39,000 associates in its North American sales, R&D and manufacturing operations with total capital investment in North America exceeding $22 billion.

Based on its longstanding commitment to "build products close to the customer" Honda operates 16 major manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda and Acura automobiles, automobile engines and transmissions, Honda all-terrain vehicles, power equipment products such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general purpose engines, and the HondaJet light jet, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

For more information, please contact:The American Honda Foundation Website: http://www.foundation.honda.com

Congratulations to the 34 incoming college freshmen who are attending colleges and universities across the country. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation, as it has done since 1980, ensures the sons and daughters of fallen Special Operations Forces receive a college education. We are incredibly proud of these 34 students who join our other 100 college students in their academic endeavors!

Amanda Bolin (right) is attending Smith College. She is the daughter of Army Staff Sgt. Neal Bolin, who lost his life in 1996 while assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group.

Emily Brown is entering her freshman year at Pikes Peak Community College. She is the daughter of Army Staff Sgt. William Brown who lost his life in 2006 while assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group.

Madison Chapman (left) is attending Pennsylvania State University in Altoona. She is the daughter of Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Chapman who lost his life in 2002 while assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron.

Dena desRoches is attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is the daughter of Army Chief Warrant Officer Pierre desRoches who lost his life in 1996 while assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

Louella Downs is starting her freshman year at the University of Central Florida. She is the daughter of Air Force Major William Downs, who lost his life in 2005 while assigned to the 6th Special Operations Squadron.

Casey Dyer is starting his freshman year at East Carolina University. He is the son of Army Chief Warrant Officer Scott Dyer who lost his life in 2006 while assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group.

Olivia Elizarraras (right) is attending Arizona State University. She is the daughter of Army Master Sgt. Emigdio Elizarraras, who lost his life in 2006 while assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group.

Sally Elizarraras is attending Penn Foster College. She is the daughter of Army Master Sgt. Emigdio Elizarraras, who lost his life in 2006 while assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group.

Connor Fritz is starting his freshman year at Sierra College. He is the son of Air Force Major Gregory Fritz, who lost his life in 2002 while assigned to the 15th Special Operations Squadron.

Jason Ferguson is a freshman at Pikes Peak Community College. He is the son of Army Master Sgt. Richard Ferguson, who lost his life in 2004 while assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group.

Katherine Gressett is attending Pensacola State College. She is the daughter of Air Force Tech. Sgt. David Gressett, who lost his life in 2004 while assigned to the 16th Special Operations Squadron.

Darbi Harriman (left) is starting her freshman year at Western Carolina University. She is the daughter of Army Chief Warrant Officer Stanley Harriman, who lost his life in 2002 while assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group.

Garrett Holland is entering his freshman year at Texas A&M University. He is the son of Army Lt. Col. Daniel Holland, who lost is life in 2006 while assigned to the 414th Civil Affairs Battalion.

Stacy Johnson is attending Louisiana State University at Alexandria. She is the daughter of Army Staff Sgt. Allen Johnson, who lost his life in 2005 while assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group.

Ashton Keith is starting his freshman year at High Point University. He is the son of Army Master Sgt. Christopher Keith, who lost is life in 2005 while assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group.

Autumn Kolath is attending Columbus Technical College. She is the daughter of Army Sgt. 1st Class Obediah Kolath, who lost his life in 2005 while assigned to Army Special Operations Command.

Alexander Lackey is attending Wyo Tech. He is the son of Air Force Senior Master Sgt. James Lackey who lost his life in 2010 while assigned to 8th Special Operations Squadron.

Noelle Lane is entering her freshman year at Texas A&M University. She is the daughter of Army Staff Sgt. Mitchell Lane, who lost his life in 2003 while assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group.

Trevor McCants is attending Pierce College. He is the son of Army Chief Warrant Officer Hershel McCants Jr, who lost his life in 2007 while assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

Zackary McGee (right) is attending Tennessee Technological University. He is the son of Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert McGee, who lost his life in 2004 while assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group.

Joshua McDowell is attending California State University in San Marcos. He is the son of Army Sgt. 1st Class David McDowell, who lost his life in 2008 while assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment.

December Stets Miller is attending the Paul Mitchell School in Fayetteville. She is the step-Daughter of Army Staff Sgt. Mark Stets, Jr., who lost his life in 2010 while assigned to the 8th Psychological Operations Battalion.

Kenneth Michael Miller is starting his freshman year at University of North Carolina in Charlotte. He is the son of Army Major Kenneth Miller Jr., who lost his life in 2003 while assigned to the United States Army Special Operations Command.

Christina Moreland is attending Bowdin College. She is the daughter of Navy Chief Petty Officer Theodore Moreland who lost his life in 1996 while assigned to SEAL Team TWO.

Chase Patton is attending High Point University. He is the son of Army Sgt. Major Jerry Patton, who lost his life in 2008 while assigned to the United States Army Special Operations Command.

Keely Quinlan is entering her freshman year at American University. She is the daughter of Army Chief Warrant Officer John Quinlan, who lost his life in 2007 while assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

Jessica Shero is attending Hartford Community College. She is the step-daughter to Air Force Staff Sgt. Anissa Shero who lost her life in 2002 while assigned to 15th Special Operations Squadron.

Shelby Summers is attending Auburn University. She is the daughter of Army Sgt. 1st Class Severin Summers, III, who lost his life in 2009 while assigned to the 20th Special Forces Group.

Mark Alexander "Alex” Todd (right) is attending Mississippi State University. He is the son of Air Force Capt. Mark Todd, who lost his life in 1996 while assigned to the 6th Special Operations Squadron.

Tristan Renee Tucker is attending Houston Community College. She is the daughter of Navy Petty Officer Brad Tucker, who lost his life in 2000 while assigned to SEAL Team FOUR.

Mailani Kapri Walker is starting her freshman year at the University of Tampa. She is the daughter of Navy Petty Officer Terrell Walker, who lost his life in 2000 while assigned to the Naval Special Warfare Command.

Samantha Walters is starting her freshman year at the University of West Florida. She is the daughter of Air Force Tech. Sgt Howard Walters, who lost his life in 2003 while assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron.

Mark Russell Wilson, Jr. is attending Johns Hopkins University. He is the son of Navy Lt. Mark Wilson, Sr., who lost his life in 1995 while assigned to SEAL Team TWO.

Logan Winder is attending Utica College. He is the son of Army Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Winder, who lost his life in 2007 while assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group.

While lots of teenagers take it easy the summer before they start their senior year of high school, hitting the beach or hanging out was the furthest thing from Michael Gray’s mind.

Unlike his peers, Michael has known from a young age that the Special Operations Warrior Foundation would ensure that when the time came, he could attend the college of his choosing. His father, Chief Master Sgt. Lawrence Gray, lost his life in 2005 while on a night training mission with the 7th Special Operations Squadron.

The 17-year-old has his sights set on the U.S. Air Force Academy, and he’s evaluating additional universities as other options.

“A lot of people sit back and relax,” Michael says. “I’m not going to do that. This is the time you start setting up your future.”

Selected as the Air Force Junior ROTC Vice Wing Commander for the 2014-15 academic year at Fort Dorchester High School in North Charleston, SC, Michael traveled to the U.S Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in mid-June for ROTC officer training.

“I'm honored to be chosen for such a coveted position,” says Michael, who became interested in the Air Force in middle school.

He has been strategizing with retired Lt. Col. Robert Ticknor – the senior aerospace science instructor at Fort Dorchester High, and an Academy graduate who served in the Air Force for 22 years – to make a good Junior ROTC unit even better.

“Michael Gray is a model cadet who is an excellent example for others to follow, as he sets high standards for himself and those around him,” says Col. Ticknor.

“He has all the qualities I look for in our cadet leaders – dependability, integrity, honesty, determination, dedication, and putting the unit and others first.”

Col. Ticknor “has given me a lot of insight about what the Air Force is like,” he says.

But Michael is not just positioning himself for personal success. He has a family legacy to uphold.

* * *

Michael’s dad, Chief Master Sgt. Lawrence Gray, was an Air Force special operations flight engineer, serving with the 7th Special Operations Squadron, 352nd Special Operations Group.

On the evening of March 31, 2005, the aircrew onboard the MC-130H Combat Talon was a conducting dangerous night training mission through mountainous terrain. The aircraft was unable to clear the ridge and nine souls were lost, including Michael’s father.

* * *

As it has for over 30 years, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation reached out to the families of the eight fallen airmen to let them know the children would receive funding for a college education.

Over the next 10 years, the SOWF Family Services team stayed in touch with Michael, his mom, Kathleen; sister, Lauren; and brother Tony. The foundation sent birthday and holiday cards as well as offered assistance to the family.

Michael appreciates the foundation’s presence in their lives. “It shows they really care about the people they are helping,” he says.

Knowing he could pursue higher education without being burdened with debt made Michael serious about college, and he pushed himself to excel in everything he did.

“I’ve worked hard all my life,” he says.

“I have over a 3.6 grade point average, and I will continue to work hard, because my father would want me to.”

* * *

Following in his dad's footsteps, Michael plans on earning a degree in aerospace engineering.

While the Air Force Academy is his first choice, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla. is also on his list. Not only does it have an excellent aerospace and physics program, he says, it’s where his father went to school.

Older sister Lauren, a SOWF scholarship recipient, graduated from the College of Charleston last December with a degree in accounting.

“I respect this foundation for helping kids who couldn't afford college because they've lost a parent in the line of duty,” Michael says.

Retired Air Force Colonel Craig Brotchie was inducted into the 2014 class of the Air Commando Hall of Fame Oct. 18, at the Air Commando Association annual banquet in Ft. Walton Beach, FL.

Brotchie, who lives in Tampa, serves on the board of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

Selectees for the Hall of Fame have been assigned or attached for at least three years to an Air Force air commando or special operations unit; and have made significant contributions to the betterment of air commando forces or Air Force special operations forces.

Air Commandos have been deeply involved in overt and covert campaigns in all areas of the globe from World War II (Europe, Pacific, China, Burma, and India), Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Desert Shield/Storm, the Balkans, Kosovo, Iraq, Africa, Panama, Colombia, the Philippines, Afghanistan, and many more.

(OCTOBER 2, 2014, Tampa, FL) – For the ninth year in a row, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation has earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s premier evaluator of charities.

This places the SOWF among the top 1% of charities monitored by Charity Navigator, which awards its highest rating to nonprofits that demonstrate sound fiscal management and a commitment to accountability and transparency.

As the nonprofit sector grows at an unprecedented pace, donors now expect these traits - along with quantifiable results - from the charities they choose to support, according to Charity Navigator President and CEO Ken Berger.

“We are proud to announce the Special Operations Warrior Foundation has earned our ninth consecutive 4-star rating,” Berger said. “Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates your organization adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities, and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way.”

* * *

“The foundation continues to add children of fallen warriors to our college scholarship program, and nearly every week, I receive news that another one of our troops has been hospitalized after being engaged in combat operations,” said retired Vice Admiral and Navy SEAL Joe Maguire, president and CEO of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

“Our current and future donors can rely on us to be careful stewards of their generous gifts,” Maguire said.

In 2013, the SOWF’s administrative overhead was 4.9%.

Currently, 135 sons and daughters of special operations personnel who have lost their lives in service to our nation are in college, and 245 children have graduated from colleges or other post-secondary schools. But the need continues.

Maguire noted that the nation lost one of its brave Green Berets from the 7th Special Forces Group this week.

“Our commitment to our fallen special operators is steadfast as we prepare to provide for the over 650 children who have yet to reach college age," he said.

“We are here for them now to prepare them for college, and we will be there for them when they are ready to attend."

In addition to college funds, the SOWF has provided over $2.2 million in financial grants to families of wounded special operators, so they can be at their loved ones’ hospital bedside.

“Last week, another Green Beret from the 1st Battalion of the 10th Special Forces Group was severely wounded in Afghanistan, and we had three special operators severely wounded and medically evacuated,” Maguire said.

In August of 2014, Renee Maloney, co-founder of Painting with a Twist and Corks N Canvas, asked Painting with a Twist (PWAT) franchise owners at the company's annual meeting, if they would like to support the Special Operations Warrior Foundation with a Veteran's Day fundraising event.

There are 171 PWAT locations across the U.S.

The Painting with a Twist concept is simple and fun: participants create individual works of art under the tutelage of an instructor while sipping wine and enjoying snacks.

There are 102 PWAT studios throughout the United States that have committed to support the SOWF on Nov. 11.

]]>Fri, 26 Sep 2014 13:36:14 GMTSOWF and Living Essentials To Team Up for Second Yearhttp://www.specialops.org/news/news.asp?id=193894
http://www.specialops.org/news/news.asp?id=193894

TAMPA, FL – September 18, 2014 – The Special Operations Warrior Foundation announced that it will once again team up with Living Essentials, LLC (the distributor of 5-hour ENERGY® shots) for a new program that will launch in May 2015.

The successful 2014 program generated a donation of $279,061.60 from Living Essentials, LLC to the top-rated nonprofit organization that supports the military's special operations forces and their families through college scholarships, family services, and financial stipends.

Once again, the total amount of the donation will be based on five cents from the sale of every bottle of the limited edition, specially marked Cherry Flavored 5-hour ENERGY® shots sold.

Living Essentials’ President, Scott Henderson, announced the 2015 program at last night’s Tribute to the Special Operations Forces event in Tampa.

“It is an honor for 5-hour ENERGY® to play a role in raising both money and awareness for SOWF, and we look forward to another great year,” said Henderson.

“The Living Essentials’ donation will help cover four years of college for 12 of our scholarship recipients, and fund three financial stipends for families of wounded special operators, allowing them to get to their loved one’s hospital bedside immediately,” said Vice Admiral and Navy SEAL (Ret.) Joe Maguire, president of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

“We deeply appreciate their generosity, and we look forward to teaming with 5-hour ENERGY® again in 2015 to support our nation’s Special Operations Forces and their families.”

About 5-Hour ENERGY®

5-hour ENERGY® is a liquid energy shot that provides a feeling of energy and alertness that lasts for hours. It contains a blend of B-vitamins and amino acids, zero sugar, four calories, and caffeine comparable to a cup of the leading premium coffee. It is available at retail outlets in the United States and Canada as well as throughout the U.K., Ireland, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and South Africa.

The check was presented that evening at the Tampa Bay Rays game at Tropicana Field, where Command Sgt. Major James Faris threw out the first pitch.

Faris is the senior enlisted advisor to the Commander, United States Special Operations Command, located at MacDill Air Force Base.

The total amount of the donation was based on five cents from the sale of every bottle of the limited edition, specially marked Cherry Flavored 5-hour ENERGY® shots sold between May 1, 2014, and July 31, 2014.

In addition to the monetary donation from the makers of 5-hour ENERGY®, the program had an immediate and profound impact on the organization, which saw a 99% increase of website visits, and an 11% jump in new visitors to the site from the same time period last year.

Also during this time, there was an increase in private donations totaling nearly $250,000, which the SOWF attributes to the advertising, special events and publicity from the campaign.

“The exposure we received through the 5-hour ENERGY® program is priceless,” said Vice Admiral and Navy SEAL (Ret.) Joe Maguire, president of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

“The funds received from the sale of the Cherry bottles of 5-hour ENERGY® and the increase in private donations will go a long way in supporting the families of America’s special operations troops and our wounded operators,” said Maguire.

“It is heart-warming to receive this donation, which honors our fallen warriors and reminds our families who have sacrificed so much that they are not forgotten.”

About 5-Hour ENERGY®

5-hour ENERGY® is a liquid energy shot that provides a feeling of energy and alertness that lasts for hours. It contains a blend of B-vitamins and amino acids, zero sugar, four calories, and caffeine comparable to a cup of the leading premium coffee. It is available at retail outlets in the United States and Canada as well as throughout the U.K., Ireland, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and South Africa.

From May 1 through July 31, proceeds from the sale of the 5-hour Energy cherry flavor shot will be donated to the SOWF, with a minimum donation of $75,000. Living Essentials, LLC, the corporate parent of 5-hour Energy, is Furyk's sponsor.

"I'm honored to play a role in helping 5-hour Energy promote the SOWF, an organization that does outstanding work to support the families of our nation's heroes," he said.

Furyk wore the 5-hour Energy/SOWF ballcap May 23-25 at the Crowne Plaza Invitational in Ft. Worth, TX, and May 29-June 1 at the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, OH.

May 30, 2014, Tampa, FL – In support
of our nation’s elite military members and their families, three Tampa Bay
Winn-Dixie supermarkets have selected the Special Operations Warrior
Foundation to benefit from the company's 2014 “Give a Dollar, Make a Difference”
charitable campaign.

Through June 17, customers at the following Winn-Dixie
locations will be invited at store registers to donate $1 to support the SOWF:

(May 29, 2014, Tampa,
FL) – One of the 50-plus
presenters taking part in the Military and Veteran Social Work Conference June
6-7 in St. Leo, FL, is April Steen, a family counselor with the nonprofit
Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

A licensed
clinical social worker, Steen (below right) joined the SOWF staff a year ago. She is also a
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP).

Hosted by St.
Leo University, the Military & Veteran Social Work Conference was established
in 2013 to advance the understanding of clinical and student service practices
with military veterans, active duty personnel, and their families. This year’s
theme is “Veterans in Transition.”

In addition to
being a SOWF family counselor, Steen is
an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida, where she is working
on her doctorate in special education.

She was previously an adjunct professor
in social work at St. Leo University.

Also
presenting at the conference on behalf of the Warrior Foundation is retired
Army 1st Sgt. Noel Hike, Jr., MPA, the family services director.

Before joining the
SOWF in 2013, Hike worked at the U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa as a
liaison with the Veteran's Administration.